Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to secure a qualified supplier for the one-off provision of essential medical suction liners to support clinical and surgical operations at Nkandla Hospital under the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. The procurement aims to guarantee a steady supply of hygienic, compliant, and cost-effective fluid collection systems while adhering to national public sector procurement legislation and transformation mandates.

Scope

The contract encompasses the supply and delivery of three specific categories of suction liners directly to Nkandla Hospital. The requirement is strictly limited to goods delivery, with no installation, commissioning, maintenance, or training services included. The agreement is structured as a single transaction, with submitted quotations remaining valid for ninety days. All pricing must be firm, inclusive of applicable value-added tax, and fully encompass transportation, handling, and delivery costs to the designated facility. Expired, refurbished, or second-hand products are explicitly prohibited.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must supply the following items, ensuring strict adherence to the specified parameters:

• Standard Suction Liner (25 units): Must conform to Askin 30 specifications, featuring a 2-litre capacity, portable dimensions of 35 x 21 x 18 cm, weighing approximately 3.6 kg, operating within a noise range of 60–61.5 dB, delivering an airflow of 40 L/min, and compatible with 230V ~ 50 Hz power supplies. Must hold SABS approval.
• Ultra Suction Liner (10 units): Engineered specifically for UltraSuction machines. Must function as both disposable and regular lines, with a 2000 mL capacity. Constructed from medical-grade polymer and polycarbonate materials.
• Suction Machine Liner with Filter (5 units): Features a 2-litre capacity with a clear colour profile. The collection bag must be manufactured from low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The lid must incorporate a built-in hydrophobic filter that acts as an automatic overflow valve, deactivating suction upon reaching maximum capacity to protect the pump. The design must prevent bacterial and viral contamination, utilise colour-coded patient and vacuum port connectors, and maintain SABS approval.

All supplied goods must be new, unused, and represent the most recent models available. Products must have a minimum shelf life of six months from the date of delivery. Compliance with South African National Standards (SANS/SABS) is mandatory.

Skills Requirements

As this is a pure goods supply contract, specialised clinical or technical engineering skills are not required. However, bidders must demonstrate robust operational capabilities in:

• Logistics and supply chain management to ensure timely, undamaged delivery to the hospital.
• Regulatory compliance, including maintaining active registration with relevant health, trade, and tax authorities.
• Administrative proficiency to correctly complete mandatory returnable documents, financial declarations, and preference point claim forms without error.
• Financial stability and risk management to guarantee uninterrupted performance throughout the contract period.

Notes on Unusual or Complicated Terms

• SAHPRA Certificate: Suppliers must provide a valid certificate from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. This ensures that all medical devices and consumables meet national safety, efficacy, and quality standards before entering the public healthcare system.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: Evaluation allocates 80 points based on competitive pricing and 20 points for socio-economic transformation goals. Full points are awarded exclusively to enterprises that are 100% owned by Black African women. Claiming these points requires verifiable documentation, including a CIPC registration certificate and certified South African identity documents.
• Cover-Quoting Prohibition: The procurement strictly forbids multiple entities linked to the same beneficial owner from submitting competing quotations for the same contract. Violation constitutes fraud and results in immediate disqualification and potential ten-year restriction from public sector contracts.
• Performance Security & Penalty Clauses: Successful bidders may be required to furnish a bank guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit within thirty days of award. Delays in delivery incur daily penalties calculated at the prime interest rate, and persistent non-performance may lead to contract termination and supplier restriction.